Device and system for validation and modification of device state transitions for an aerosol generation device

ABSTRACT

A test fixture for testing aerosol provision devices may include a housing, a plurality of testing modules disposed at the housing where each of the testing modules includes a cavity configured to receive a portion of an aerosol provision device, and processing circuitry operably coupled to the testing modules. Each of the testing modules may be configured to interface with an assembly of a respective one of the aerosol provision devices to transition the assembly between an initial state and a transitioned state during a functional test controlled by the processing circuitry. The processing circuitry may be configured to conduct the functional test of at least two of the testing modules simultaneously.

TECHNICAL FIELD

Example embodiments generally relate to non-combustible aerosolprovision systems and, in particular, relate to a device and system fortesting and confirming the capability of an aerosol provision device toconduct post sale activation (PSA).

BACKGROUND

Non-combustible aerosol provision systems (e.g., e-cigarettes/tobaccoheating products or other such devices) generally contain anaerosolisable material, such as a reservoir of a source liquidcontaining a formulation. The formulation typically includes nicotine,or a solid material such as a tobacco-based product, from which anaerosol is generated for inhalation by a user, for example through heatvaporization. However, devices including formulations with othermaterials, such as cannabinoids (e.g., Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and/orCannabidiol (CBD)), botanicals, medicinals, caffeine, and/or otheractive ingredients, are also possible. Thus, a non-combustible aerosolprovision system will typically include an aerosol generation chambercontaining a vaporizer, e.g., a heater, arranged to vaporize a portionof the aerosolisable material to generate an aerosol in the aerosolgeneration chamber. As a user inhales on a mouthpiece of the device andelectrical power is supplied to the heater, air is drawn into the deviceand into the aerosol generation chamber where the air mixes with thevaporized aerosolisable material and forms a condensation aerosol. Thereis a flow path between the aerosol generation chamber and an opening inthe mouthpiece so the air drawn through the aerosol generation chambercontinues along the flow path to an opening in the mouthpiece, carryingsome of the condensation aerosol with it, and out through the opening inthe mouthpiece for inhalation by the user.

Aerosol provision systems include, for example, vapor products, such asthose delivering nicotine that are commonly known as “electroniccigarettes,” “e-cigarettes” or electronic nicotine delivery systems(ENDS), as well as heat-not-burn products including tobacco heatingproducts (THPs). Many of these products take the form of a systemincluding a device and a consumable, and it is the consumable thatincludes the material from which the substance to be deliveredoriginates. Typically, the device is reusable, and the consumable issingle-use (although some consumables are refillable as in the case ofso called “open” systems). Therefore, in many cases, the consumable issold separately from the device, and often in a multipack. Moreover,subsystems and some individual components of devices or consumables maybe sourced from specialist manufacturers.

Aerosol provision devices, like those described above, may be subject tocertain restrictions, including age restrictions. In some locations, useof the articles including the cartridges of an ENDS device is limitedbased on user age. To accommodate the need for authentication of adevice by an age verified user, any of a number of authenticationmethods may be employed. However, many of these authentication methodsmay require interaction with a host device (e.g., a smartphone or otherwireless communication device that can access authentication services).These authentication methods may therefore rely on the ability of theuser to effectively carry on the interaction between the host device andthe aerosol provision device in order to seamlessly complete theauthentication process. Accordingly, it may be desirable to introducemethods, devices or systems that ensure the reliability of the aerosolprovision devices relative to their proper setup for PSA, and ensurethat they also have the proper functional capability to be authenticatedby authorized or age verified users.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF SOME EXAMPLES

In an example embodiment, a test fixture for testing aerosol provisiondevices with respect to proper unlocking of such devices in connectionwith a PSA process be provided. The test fixture may include a housing,a plurality of testing modules disposed at the housing where each of thetesting modules includes a cavity configured to receive a portion of anaerosol provision device, and processing circuitry operably coupled tothe testing modules. Each of the testing modules may be configured tointerface with an assembly of a respective one of the aerosol provisiondevices to transition the assembly between an initial and a transitionedstate during a functional test controlled by the processing circuitry.The processing circuitry may be configured to conduct the functionaltest of at least two of the testing modules simultaneously.

It will be appreciated that this Brief Summary is provided merely forpurposes of summarizing some example implementations to provide a basicunderstanding of some aspects of the disclosure. Accordingly, it will beappreciated that the above described example implementations are merelyexamples and should not be construed to narrow the scope or spirit ofthe disclosure in any way. Other example implementations, aspects andadvantages will become apparent from the following detailed descriptiontaken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings which illustrate, byway of example, the principles of some described exampleimplementations.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)

Having thus described some example embodiments in general terms,reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, which are notnecessarily drawn to scale, and wherein:

FIG. 1A illustrates a general block diagram of a non-combustible aerosolprovision system that may be used in connection with an exampleembodiment;

FIGS. 1B and 1C illustrate an aerosol provision system in the form of avapor product, according to some example implementations;

FIG. 1D illustrates a nebulizer that may be used to implement an aerosolgenerator of an aerosol provision system, according to some exampleimplementations;

FIGS. 2A, 2B and 2C illustrate an aerosol provision system in the formof a heat-not-burn product, according to some example implementations;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an example implementation of devicesassociated with a PSA process in accordance with an example embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a test fixture in accordance with anexample embodiment;

FIG. 5 is a functional block diagram of a test fixture in accordancewith an example embodiment;

FIG. 6 is a side view of a cavity in a testing module in accordance withan example embodiment; and

FIG. 7 is a diagram of a PSA board associated with an instance of thetesting module in accordance with an example embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Some example embodiments now will be described more fully hereinafterwith reference to the accompanying drawings, in which some, but not allexample embodiments are shown. Indeed, the examples described andpictured herein should not be construed as being limiting as to thescope, applicability or configuration of the present disclosure. Rather,these example embodiments are provided so that this disclosure willsatisfy applicable legal requirements. Like reference numerals refer tolike elements throughout. As used herein, operable coupling should beunderstood to relate to direct or indirect connection that, in eithercase, enables functional interconnection of components that are operablycoupled to each other.

As indicated above, the present disclosure relates to requiring anauthentication of an age-restricted device, such as an aerosol deliverydevice or an electronic nicotine delivery systems (“ENDS”) device. Theauthentication may include or require a prior age verification, suchthat the age-restricted device is not operational for a user that is notage-verified. The authentication may include the age-restricted devicereceiving a control signal for authenticating the device. The controlsignal may include audio signals and/or visual/optical signals forauthenticating the device. In some case, the authentication may beinitiated after a device wakeup procedure, in order to conserve powerprior to authentication. However, in any case, the authentication(and/or wakeup) may be initiated by insertion of a dedicated module intothe device. The module may therefore be added to minimize changes toexisting ENDS device designs.

An aerosol delivery device or ENDS is one example of a device that maybe associated with restriction, such as an age restriction. Otherexamples include delivery devices for delivery of cannabinoids, such asTetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and/or Cannabidiol (CBD), botanicals,medicinals, and/or other active ingredients. Thus, it will beappreciated that while an aerosol delivery or ENDS device is used as anexample application of various embodiments throughout, this example isintended to be non-limiting such that inventive concepts disclosedherein can be used with devices other than aerosol delivery or ENDSdevices, including aerosol delivery devices that may be used to deliverother medicinal and/or active ingredients to a user or may includesmokeless tobacco or other tobacco products.

The device authentication by a control signal can be in addition to, ormay be required as a prerequisite to, the user performing ageverification. A user that has not been age verified cannot authenticatea device. The authentication may need to be performed periodically forusage of an age-restricted product. There may be an age verificationsystem for confirming an age of a user and/or authenticating the properuser and/or device. In any case, these activities may be referred togenerally as post sale activation (PSA). The conduct of PSA is generallywell received by consumers as long as the procedures for conducting PSAare relatively straightforward to employ. That said, if consumersencounter technical problems with any degree of frequency in theperformance of PSA, negative impacts on brand loyalty and overallproduct usage can be expected. Thus, it may be desirable to confirm,prior to shipping of aerosol delivery devices for distribution, thateach such device can be properly locked and unlocked. Exampleembodiments may provide a test fixture and/or methods for ensuring thataerosol delivery devices are functionally equipped to be locked andunlocked in association with PSA.

Given that example embodiments may be employed in connection withproviding security for non-combustible aerosol provision systems such asENDS devices, a general description of an example device will beprovided since some aspects of the test fixture may be tailored tointerface with the case and/or other structural aspects of the ENDSdevices.

Unless specified otherwise or clear from context, references to first,second or the like should not be construed to imply a particular order.A feature described as being above another feature (unless specifiedotherwise or clear from context) may instead be below, and vice versa;and similarly, features described as being to the left of anotherfeature else may instead be to the right, and vice versa. Also, whilereference may be made herein to quantitative measures, values, geometricrelationships or the like, unless otherwise stated, any one or more ifnot all of these may be absolute or approximate to account foracceptable variations that may occur, such as those due to engineeringtolerances or the like.

As used herein, unless specified otherwise or clear from context, the“or” of a set of operands is the “inclusive or” and thereby true if andonly if one or more of the operands is true, as opposed to the“exclusive or” which is false when all of the operands are true. Thus,for example, “[A] or [B]” is true if [A] is true, or if [B] is true, orif both [A] and [B] are true. Further, the articles “a” and “an” mean“one or more,” unless specified otherwise or clear from context to bedirected to a singular form. Furthermore, it should be understood thatunless otherwise specified, the terms “data,” “content,” “digitalcontent,” “information,” and similar terms may be at times usedinterchangeably.

Example implementations of the present disclosure are generally directedto test fixtures or methods for interfacing with delivery systemsdesigned to deliver at least one substance to a user, such as to satisfya particular “consumer moment.” The substance may include constituentsthat impart a physiological effect on the user, a sensorial effect onthe user, or both.

Delivery systems may take many forms. Examples of suitable deliverysystems include aerosol provision systems such as powered aerosolprovision systems designed to release one or more substances orcompounds from an aerosol-generating material without combusting theaerosol-generating material. These aerosol provision systems may attimes be referred to as non-combustible aerosol provision systems,aerosol delivery devices or the like, and the aerosol-generatingmaterial may be, for example, in the form of a solid, semi-solid, liquidor gel and may or may not contain nicotine.

Examples of suitable aerosol provision systems include vapor products,heat-not-burn products, hybrid products and the like. Vapor products arecommonly known as “electronic cigarettes,” “e-cigarettes” or electronicnicotine delivery systems (ENDS), although the aerosol-generatingmaterial need not include nicotine. Many vapor products are designed toheat a liquid material to generate an aerosol. Other vapor products aredesigned to break up an aerosol-generating material into an aerosolwithout heating, or with only secondary heating. Heat-not-burn productsinclude tobacco heating products (THPs) and carbon-tipped tobaccoheating products (CTHPs), and many are designed to heat a solid materialto generate an aerosol without combusting the material.

Hybrid products use a combination of aerosol-generating materials, oneor a plurality of which may be heated. Each of the aerosol-generatingmaterials may be, for example, in the form of a solid, semi-solid,liquid, or gel. Some hybrid products are similar to vapor productsexcept that the aerosol generated from a liquid or gelaerosol-generating material passes through a second material (such astobacco) to pick up additional constituents before reaching the user. Insome example implementations, the hybrid system includes a liquid or gelaerosol-generating material, and a solid aerosol-generating material.The solid aerosol-generating material may include, for example, tobaccoor a non-tobacco product.

FIG. 1A is a block diagram of an aerosol provision system 100 accordingto some example implementations. In various examples, the aerosolprovision system may be a vapor product, heat-not-burn product or hybridproduct. The aerosol provision system includes one or more of each of anumber of components including, for example, an aerosol provision device102, and a consumable 104 (sometimes referred to as an article) for usewith the aerosol provision device. The aerosol provision system alsoincludes an aerosol generator 106. In various implementations, theaerosol generator may be part of the aerosol provision device or theconsumable. In other implementations, the aerosol generator may beseparate from the aerosol provision device and the consumable, andremovably engaged with the aerosol provision device and/or theconsumable.

In various examples, the aerosol provision system 100 and its componentsincluding the aerosol provision device 102 and the consumable 104 may bereusable or single-use. In some examples, the aerosol provision systemincluding both the aerosol provision device and the consumable may besingle use. In some examples, the aerosol provision device may bereusable, and the consumable may be reusable (e.g., refillable) orsingle use (e.g., replaceable). In yet further examples, the consumablemay be both refillable and also replaceable. In examples in which theaerosol generator 106 is part of the aerosol provision device or theconsumable, the aerosol generator may be reusable or single-use in thesame manner as the aerosol provision device or the consumable.

In some example implementations, the aerosol provision device 102 mayinclude a housing 108 with a power source 110 and circuitry 112. Thepower source is configured to provide a source of power to the aerosolprovision device and thereby the aerosol provision system 100. The powersource may be or include, for example, an electric power source such asa non-rechargeable battery or a rechargeable battery, solid-statebattery (SSB), lithium-ion battery, supercapacitor, or the like.

The circuitry 112 may be configured to enable one or morefunctionalities (at times referred to as services) of the aerosolprovision device 102 and thereby the aerosol provision system 100. Thecircuitry includes electronic components, and in some examples one ormore of the electronic components may be formed as a circuit board suchas a printed circuit board (PCB).

In some examples, the circuitry 112 includes at least one switch 114that may be directly or indirectly manipulated by a user to activate theaerosol provision device 102 and thereby the aerosol provision system100. The switch may be or include a pushbutton, touch-sensitive surfaceor the like that may be operated manually by a user. Additionally oralternatively, the switch may be or include a sensor configured to senseone or more process variables that indicate use of the aerosol provisiondevice or aerosol provision system. One example is a flow sensor,pressure sensor, pressure switch or the like that is configured todetect airflow or a change in pressure caused by airflow when a userdraws on the consumable 104.

The switch 114 may provide user interface functionality. In someexamples, the circuitry 112 may include a user interface (UI) 116 thatis separate from or that is or includes the switch. The UI may includeone or more input devices and/or output devices to enable interactionbetween the user and the aerosol provision device 102. As describedabove with respect to the switch, examples of suitable input devicesinclude pushbuttons, touch-sensitive surfaces and the like. The one ormore output devices generally include devices configured to provideinformation in a human-perceptible form that may be visual, audible ortactile/haptic. Examples of suitable output devices include lightsources such as light-emitting diodes (LEDs), quantum dot-based LEDs andthe like. Other examples of suitable output devices include displaydevices (e.g., electronic visual displays), touchscreens (integratedtouch-sensitive surface and display device), loudspeakers, vibrationmotors and the like.

In some examples, the circuitry 112 includes processing circuitry 118configured to perform data processing, application execution, or otherprocessing, control or management services according to one or moreexample implementations. The processing circuitry may include aprocessor embodied in a variety of forms such as at least one processorcore, microprocessor, coprocessor, controller, microcontroller orvarious other computing or processing devices including one or moreintegrated circuits such as, for example, an ASIC (application specificintegrated circuit), an FPGA (field programmable gate array), somecombination thereof, or the like. In some examples, the processingcircuitry may include memory coupled to or integrated with theprocessor, and which may store data, computer program instructionsexecutable by the processor, some combination thereof, or the like.

As also shown, in some examples, the housing 108 and thereby the aerosolprovision device 102 may also include a coupler 120 and/or a receptacle122 structured to engage and hold the consumable 104, and thereby couplethe aerosol provision device with the consumable. The coupler may be orinclude a connector, fastener or the like that is configured to connectwith a corresponding coupler of the consumable, such as by a press fit(or interference fit) connection, threaded connection, magneticconnection or the like. The receptacle may be or include a reservoir,tank, container, cavity, receiving chamber or the like that isstructured to receive and contain the consumable or at least a portionof the consumable.

The consumable 104 is an article including aerosol-generating material124 (also referred to as an aerosol precursor composition), part or allof which is intended to be consumed during use by a user. The aerosolprovision system 100 may include one or more consumables, and eachconsumable may include one or more aerosol-generating materials. In someexamples in which the aerosol provision system is a hybrid product, theaerosol provision system may include a liquid or gel aerosol-generatingmaterial to generate an aerosol, which may then pass through a second,solid aerosol-generating material to pick up additional constituentsbefore reaching the user. These aerosol-generating materials may bewithin a single consumable or respective consumables that may beseparately removable.

The aerosol-generating material 124 is capable of generating aerosol,for example when heated, irradiated or energized in any other way. Theaerosol-generating material may be, for example, in the form of a solid,semi-solid, liquid or gel. The aerosol-generating material may includean “amorphous solid,” which may be alternatively referred to as a“monolithic solid” (i.e., non-fibrous). In some examples, the amorphoussolid may be a dried gel. The amorphous solid is a solid material thatmay retain some fluid, such as liquid, within it. In some examples, theaerosol-generating material may include from about 50 wt %, 60 wt % or70 wt % of amorphous solid, to about 90 wt %, 95 wt % or 100 wt % ofamorphous solid.

The aerosol-generating material 124 may include one or more of each of anumber of constituents such as an active substance 126, flavorant 128,aerosol-former material 130 or other functional material 132.

The active substance 126 may be a physiologically active material, whichis a material intended to achieve or enhance a physiological responsesuch as improved alertness, improved focus, increased energy, increasedstamina, increased calm or improved sleep. The active substance may forexample be selected from nutraceuticals, nootropics, psychoactives. Theactive substance may be naturally occurring or synthetically obtained.The active substance may include, for example, nicotine, caffeine, GABA(γ-aminobutyric acid), L-theanine, taurine, thiene, vitamins such as B6or B12 (cobalamin) or C, melatonin, cannabinoids, terpenes, orconstituents, derivatives, or combinations thereof. The active substancemay include one or more constituents, derivatives or extracts oftobacco, cannabis or another botanical.

In some examples in which the active substance 126 includes derivativesor extracts, the active substance may be or include one or morecannabinoids or terpenes.

As noted herein, the active substance 126 may include or be derived fromone or more botanicals or constituents, derivatives or extracts thereof.As used herein, the term “botanical” includes any material derived fromplants including, but not limited to, extracts, leaves, bark, fibers,stems, roots, seeds, flowers, fruits, pollen, husk, shells or the like.Alternatively, the material may include an active compound naturallyexisting in a botanical, obtained synthetically. The material may be inthe form of liquid, gas, solid, powder, dust, crushed particles,granules, pellets, shreds, strips, sheets, or the like. Examplebotanicals are tobacco, eucalyptus, star anise, hemp, cocoa, cannabis,fennel, lemongrass, peppermint, spearmint, rooibos, chamomile, flax,ginger, Ginkgo biloba, hazel, hibiscus, laurel, licorice (liquorice),matcha, mate, orange skin, papaya, rose, sage, tea such as green tea orblack tea, thyme, clove, cinnamon, coffee, aniseed (anise), basil, bayleaves, cardamom, coriander, cumin, nutmeg, oregano, paprika, rosemary,saffron, lavender, lemon peel, mint, juniper, elderflower, vanilla,wintergreen, beefsteak plant, curcuma, turmeric, sandalwood, cilantro,bergamot, orange blossom, myrtle, cassis, valerian, pimento, mace,damien, marjoram, olive, lemon balm, lemon basil, chive, carvi, verbena,tarragon, geranium, mulberry, ginseng, theanine, theacrine, maca,ashwagandha, damiana, guarana, chlorophyll, baobab or any combinationthereof. The mint may be chosen from the following mint varieties:Mentha Arventis, Mentha c.v., Mentha niliaca, Mentha piperita, Menthapiperita citrata c.v., Mentha piperita c.v, Mentha spicata crispa,Mentha cardifolia, Mentha longifolia, Mentha suaveolens variegata,Mentha pulegium, Mentha spicata c.v. and Mentha suaveolens.

In yet other examples, the active substance 126 may be or include one ormore of 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP)/oxitriptan/Griffonia simplicifolia,acetylcholine, arachidonic acid (AA, omega-6), ashwagandha (Withaniasomnifera), Bacopa monniera, beta alanine,beta-hydroxy-beta-methylbutyrate (HMB), Centella asiatica, chai-hu,cinnamon, citicoline, cotinine, creatine, curcumin, docosahexaenoic acid(DHA, omega-3), dopamine, Dorstenia arifolia, Dorstenia Odorata,essential oils, GABA, Galphimia glauca, glutamic acid, hops, kaempferiaparviflora (Thai ginseng), kava, L-carnitine, L-arginine, lavender oil,L-choline, liquorice, L-lysine, L-theanine, L-tryptophan, lutein,magnesium, magnesium L-threonate, myo-inositol, nardostachys chinensis,nitrate, oil-based extract of Viola odorata, oxygen, phenylalanine,phosphatidylserine, quercetin, resveratrol, Rhizoma gastrodiae,Rhodiola, Rhodiola rosea, rose essential oil, S-adenosylmethionine(SAMe), Sceletium tortuosum, schisandra, selenium, serotonin, skullcap,spearmint extract, spikenard, theobromine, tumaric, Turneraaphrodisiaca, tyrosine, vitamin A, vitamin B3, or yerba mate.

In some example implementations, the aerosol-generating material 124includes a flavorant 128. As used herein, the terms “flavorant” and“flavor” refer to materials which, where local regulations permit, maybe used to create a desired taste, aroma or other somatosensorialsensation in a product for adult consumers. Flavorants may includenaturally occurring flavor materials, botanicals, extracts ofbotanicals, synthetically obtained materials, or combinations thereof(e.g., tobacco, cannabis, licorice (liquorice), hydrangea, eugenol,Japanese white bark magnolia leaf, chamomile, fenugreek, clove, maple,matcha, menthol, Japanese mint, aniseed (anise), cinnamon, turmeric,Indian spices, Asian spices, herb, wintergreen, cherry, berry, redberry,cranberry, peach, apple, orange, mango, clementine, lemon, lime,tropical fruit, papaya, rhubarb, grape, durian, dragon fruit, cucumber,blueberry, mulberry, citrus fruits, Drambuie, bourbon, scotch, whiskey,gin, tequila, rum, spearmint, peppermint, lavender, aloe vera, cardamom,celery, cascarilla, nutmeg, sandalwood, bergamot, geranium, khat,naswar, betel, shisha, pine, honey essence, rose oil, vanilla, lemonoil, orange oil, orange blossom, cherry blossom, cassia, caraway,cognac, jasmine, ylang-ylang, sage, fennel, wasabi, piment, ginger,coriander, coffee, hemp, a mint oil from any species of the genusMentha, eucalyptus, star anise, cocoa, lemongrass, rooibos, flax, Ginkgobiloba, hazel, hibiscus, laurel, mate, orange skin, rose, tea such asgreen tea or black tea, thyme, juniper, elderflower, basil, bay leaves,cumin, oregano, paprika, rosemary, saffron, lemon peel, mint, beefsteakplant, curcuma, cilantro, myrtle, cassis, valerian, pimento, mace,damien, marjoram, olive, lemon balm, lemon basil, chive, carvi, verbena,tarragon, limonene, thymol, camphene), flavor enhancers, bitternessreceptor site blockers, sensorial receptor site activators orstimulators, sugars and/or sugar substitutes (e.g., sucralose,acesulfame potassium, aspartame, saccharine, cyclamates, lactose,sucrose, glucose, fructose, sorbitol, or mannitol), and other additivessuch as charcoal, chlorophyll, minerals, botanicals, or breathfreshening agents. Flavorants may be imitation, synthetic or naturalingredients or blends thereof. Flavorants may be in any suitable form,for example, liquid such as an oil, solid such as a powder, or gas.

In some example implementations, the flavorant 128 may include asensate, which is intended to achieve a somatosensorial sensation whichare usually chemically induced and perceived by the stimulation of thefifth cranial nerve (trigeminal nerve), in addition to or in place ofaroma or taste nerves, and these may include agents providing heating,cooling, tingling, numbing effect. A suitable heat effect agent may be,but is not limited to, vanillyl ethyl ether and a suitable cooling agentmay be, but not limited to eucalyptol, WS-3.

The aerosol-former material 130 may include one or more constituentscapable of forming an aerosol. In some example implementations, theaerosol-former material may include one or more of glycerine, glycerol,propylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, tetraethyleneglycol, 1,3-butylene glycol, erythritol, meso-Erythritol, ethylvanillate, ethyl laurate, a diethyl suberate, triethyl citrate,triacetin, a diacetin mixture, benzyl benzoate, benzyl phenyl acetate,tributyrin, lauryl acetate, lauric acid, myristic acid, and propylenecarbonate.

The one or more other functional materials 132 may include one or moreof pH regulators, colouring agents, preservatives, binders, fillers,stabilizers, and/or antioxidants. Suitable binders include, for example,pectin, guar gum, fruit pectin, citrus pectin, tobacco pectin,hydroxyethyl guar gum, hydroxypropyl guar gum, hydroxyethyl locust beangum, hydroxypropyl locust bean gum, alginate, starch, modified starch,derivatized starch, methyl cellulose, ethyl cellulose,ethylhydroxymethyl cellulose, carboxymethyl cellulose, tamarind gum,dextran, pullalon, konjac flour or xanthan gum.

In some example implementations, the aerosol-generating material 124 maybe present on or in a support to form a substrate 134. The support maybe or include, for example, paper, card, paperboard, cardboard,reconstituted material (e.g., a material formed from reconstituted plantmaterial, such as reconstituted tobacco, reconstituted hemp, etc.), aplastics material, a ceramic material, a composite material, glass, ametal, or a metal alloy. In some examples, the support includes asusceptor, which may be embedded within the aerosol-generating material,or on one or either side of the aerosol-generating material.

Although not separately shown, in some example implementations, theconsumable 104 may further include receptacle structured to engage andhold the aerosol-generating material 124, or substrate 134 with theaerosol-generating material. The receptacle may be or include areservoir, tank, container, cavity, receiving chamber or the like thatis structured to receive and contain the aerosol-generating material orthe substrate. The consumable may include an aerosol-generating materialtransfer component (also referred to as a liquid transport element)configured to transport aerosol-generating material to the aerosolgenerator 106. The aerosol-generating material transfer component may beadapted to wick or otherwise transport aerosol-generating material viacapillary action. In some examples, the aerosol-generating materialtransfer component may include a microfluidic chip, a micro pump orother suitable component to transport aerosol-generating material.

The aerosol generator 106 (also referred to as an atomizer, aerosolizeror aerosol production component) is configured to energize theaerosol-generating material 124 to generate an aerosol, or otherwisecause generation of an aerosol from the aerosol-generating material.More particularly, in some examples, the aerosol generator may bepowered by the power source 110 under control of the circuitry 112 toenergize the aerosol-generating material to generate an aerosol.

In some example implementations, the aerosol generator 106 is anelectric heater configured to perform electric heating in whichelectrical energy from the power source is converted to heat energy,which the aerosol-generating material is subject to so as to release oneor more volatiles from the aerosol-generating material to form anaerosol. Examples of suitable forms of electric heating includeresistance (Joule) heating, induction heating, dielectric and microwaveheating, radiant heating, arc heating and the like. More particularexamples of suitable electric heaters include resistive heating elementssuch as wire coils, flat plates, prongs, micro heaters or the like.

In some example implementations, the aerosol generator 106 is configuredto cause an aerosol to be generated from the aerosol-generating materialwithout heating, or with only secondary heating. For example, theaerosol generator may be configured to subject the aerosol-generatingmaterial to one or more of increased pressure, vibration, orelectrostatic energy. More particular examples of these aerosolgenerators include jet nebulizers, ultrasonic wave nebulizers, vibratingmesh technology (VMT) nebulizers, surface acoustic wave (SAW)nebulizers, and the like.

A jet nebulizer is configured to use compressed gas (e.g., air, oxygen)to break up aerosol-generating material 124 into an aerosol, and anultrasonic wave nebulizer is configured to use ultrasonic waves to breakup aerosol-generating material into an aerosol. A VMT nebulizer includesa mesh, and a piezo material (e.g., piezoelectric material,piezomagnetic material) that may be driven to vibrate and cause the meshto break up aerosol-generating material into an aerosol. A SAW nebulizeris configured to use surface acoustic waves or Rayleigh waves to breakup aerosol-generating material into an aerosol.

In some examples, the aerosol generator 106 may include a susceptor, orthe susceptor may be part of the substrate 134. The susceptor is amaterial that is heatable by penetration with a varying magnetic fieldgenerated by a magnetic field generator that may be separate from orpart of the aerosol generator. The susceptor may be anelectrically-conductive material, so that penetration thereof with avarying magnetic field causes induction heating of the heating material.The heating material may be magnetic material, so that penetrationthereof with a varying magnetic field causes magnetic hysteresis heatingof the heating material. The susceptor in some examples may be bothelectrically-conductive and magnetic, so that the susceptor of theseexamples is heatable by both heating mechanisms.

Although not separately shown, either or both the aerosol provisiondevice 102 or the consumable 104 may include an aerosol-modifying agent.The aerosol-modifying agent is a substance configured to modify theaerosol generated from the aerosol-generating material 124, such as bychanging the taste, flavor, acidity or another characteristic of theaerosol. In various examples, the aerosol-modifying agent may be anadditive or a sorbent. The aerosol-modifying agent may include, forexample, one or more of a flavorant, colorant, water or carbonadsorbent. The aerosol-modifying agent may be a solid, semi-solid,liquid or gel. The aerosol-modifying agent may be in powder, thread orgranule form. The aerosol-modifying agent may be free from filtrationmaterial. In some examples, the aerosol-modifying agent may be providedin an aerosol-modifying agent release component, that is operable toselectively release the aerosol-modifying agent.

The aerosol provision system 100 and its components including theaerosol provision device 102, consumable 104, and aerosol generator 106may be manufactured with any of a number of different form factors, andwith additional or alternative components relative to those describedabove.

FIGS. 1B and 1C illustrate an aerosol provision system 140 in the formof a vapor product, and that in some example implementations maycorrespond to the aerosol provision system 100. As shown, the aerosolprovision system 140 may include an aerosol provision device 141 (alsoreferred to as a control body or power unit) and a consumable 142 (alsoreferred to as a cartridge or tank), which may correspond torespectively the aerosol provision device 102 and the consumable 104.The aerosol provision system and in particular the consumable may alsoinclude an aerosol generator corresponding to the aerosol generator 106,and in the form of an electric heater 144 such as a heating element likea metal plate or metal wire coil configured to convert electrical energyto heat energy through resistance (Joule) heating. The aerosol provisiondevice and the consumable can be permanently or detachably aligned in afunctioning relationship. FIGS. 1B and 1C illustrate respectively aperspective view and a partially cut-away side view of the aerosolprovision system in a coupled configuration.

As seen in FIG. 1B and the cut-away view illustrated in FIG. 1C, theaerosol provision device 141 and consumable 142 each include a number ofrespective components. The components illustrated in FIG. 1C arerepresentative of the components that may be present in an aerosolprovision device and consumable and are not intended to limit the scopeof components that are encompassed by the present disclosure.

The aerosol provision device 141 may include a housing 145 (sometimesreferred to as an aerosol provision device shell) that may include apower source 150. The housing may also include circuitry 152 with aswitch in the form of a sensor 154, a user interface including a lightsource 156 that may be illuminated with use of the aerosol provisionsystem 140, and processing circuitry 158 (also referred to as a controlcomponent). The housing may also include a receptacle in the form of aconsumable receiving chamber 162 structured to engage and hold theconsumable 142. And the consumable may include an aerosol-generatingmaterial 164 that may correspond to aerosol-generating material 124, andthat may include one or more of each of a number of constituents such asan active substance, flavorant, aerosol-former material or otherfunctional material.

As also seen in FIG. 1C, the aerosol provision device 141 may alsoinclude electrical connectors 166 positioned in the consumable receivingchamber 162 configured to electrically couple the circuitry and therebythe aerosol provision device with the consumable 142, and in particularelectrical contacts 168 on the consumable. In this regard, theelectrical connectors and electrical contacts may form a connectioninterface of the aerosol provision device and consumable. As also shown,the aerosol provision device may include an external electricalconnector 170 to connect the aerosol provision device with one or moreexternal devices. Examples of suitable external electrical connectorsinclude USB connectors, proprietary connectors such as Apple's Lightningconnector, and the like.

In various examples, the consumable 142 includes a tank portion and amouthpiece portion. The tank portion and the mouthpiece portion may beintegrated or permanently fixed together, or the tank portion may itselfdefine the mouthpiece portion (or vice versa). In other examples, thetank portion and the mouthpiece portion may be separate and removablyengaged with one another.

The consumable 142, tank portion and/or mouthpiece portion may beseparately defined in relation to a longitudinal axis (L), a firsttransverse axis (T1) that is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, anda second transverse axis (T2) that is perpendicular to the longitudinalaxis and is perpendicular to the first transverse axis. The consumablecan be formed of a housing 172 (sometimes referred to as the consumableshell) enclosing a reservoir 174 (in the tank portion) configured toretain the aerosol-generating material 164. In some examples, theconsumable may include an aerosol generator, such as electric heater 144in the illustrated example. In some examples, the electrical connectors166 on the aerosol provision device 141 and electrical contacts 168 onthe consumable may electrically connect the electric heater with thepower source 150 and/or circuitry 152 of the aerosol provision device.

As shown, in some examples, the reservoir 174 may be in fluidcommunication with an aerosol-generating material transfer component 176adapted to wick or otherwise transport aerosol-generating material 164stored in the reservoir housing to the electric heater 144. At least aportion of the aerosol-generating material transfer component may bepositioned proximate (e.g., directly adjacent, adjacent, in closeproximity to, or in relatively close proximity to) the electric heater.The aerosol-generating material transfer component may extend betweenthe electric heater and the aerosol-generating material stored in thereservoir, and at least a portion of the electric heater may be locatedabove a proximal end the reservoir. For the purposes of the presentdisclosure, it should be understood that the term “above” in thisparticular context should be interpreted as meaning toward a proximalend of the reservoir and/or the consumable 142 in directionsubstantially along the longitudinal axis (L). Other arrangements of theaerosol-generating material transfer component are also contemplatedwithin the scope of the disclosure. For example, in some exampleimplementations, the aerosol-generating material transfer component maybe positioned proximate a distal end of the reservoir and/or arrangedtransverse to the longitudinal axis (L).

The electric heater 144 and aerosol-generating material transfercomponent 176 may be configured as separate elements that are fluidlyconnected, the electric heater and aerosol-generating material transfercomponent or may be configured as a combined element. For example, insome implementations an electric heater may be integrated into anaerosol-generating material transfer component. Moreover, the electricheater and the aerosol-generating material transfer component may beformed of any construction as otherwise described herein. In someexamples, a valve may be positioned between the reservoir 174 andelectric heater, and configured to control an amount ofaerosol-generating material 164 passed or delivered from the reservoirto the electric heater.

An opening 178 may be present in the housing 172 (e.g., at the mouth endof the mouthpiece portion) to allow for egress of formed aerosol fromthe consumable 142.

As indicated above, the circuitry 152 of the aerosol provision device141 may include a number of electronic components, and in some examplesmay be formed of a circuit board such as a PCB that supports andelectrically connects the electronic components. The sensor 154 (switch)may be one of these electronic components positioned on the circuitboard. In some examples, the sensor may comprise its own circuit boardor other base element to which it can be attached. In some examples, aflexible circuit board may be utilized. A flexible circuit board may beconfigured into a variety of shapes. In some examples, a flexiblecircuit board may be combined with, layered onto, or form part or all ofa heater substrate.

In some examples, the reservoir 174 may be a container for storing theaerosol-generating material 164. In some examples, the reservoir may beor include a fibrous reservoir with a substrate with theaerosol-generating material present on or in a support. For example, thereservoir can comprise one or more layers of nonwoven fiberssubstantially formed into the shape of a tube encircling the interior ofthe housing 172, in this example. The aerosol-generating material may beretained in the reservoir. Liquid components, for example, may beabsorptively retained by the reservoir. The reservoir may be in fluidconnection with the aerosol-generating material transfer component 176.The aerosol-generating material transfer component may transport theaerosol-generating material stored in the reservoir via capillaryaction—or via a micro pump—to the electric heater 144. As such, theelectric heater is in a heating arrangement with the aerosol-generatingmaterial transfer component.

In use, when a user draws on the aerosol provision system 140, airflowis detected by the sensor 154, and the electric heater 144 is activatedto energize the aerosol-generating material 164 to generate an aerosol.Drawing upon the mouth end of the aerosol provision system causesambient air to enter and pass through the aerosol provision system. Inthe consumable 142, the drawn air combines with the aerosol that iswhisked, aspirated or otherwise drawn away from the electric heater andout the opening 178 in the mouth end of the aerosol provision system.

Again, as shown in FIGS. 1B and 1C, the aerosol generator of the aerosolprovision system 140 is an electric heater 144 designed to heat theaerosol-generating material 164 to generate an aerosol. In otherimplementations, the aerosol generator is designed to break up theaerosol-generating material without heating, or with only secondaryheating. FIG. 1D illustrates a nebulizer 180 that may be used toimplement the aerosol generator of an aerosol provision system,according to some these other example implementations.

As shown in FIG. 1D, the nebulizer 180 includes a mesh plate 182 and apiezo material 184 that may be affixed to one another. The piezomaterial may be driven to vibrate and cause the mesh plate to break upaerosol-generating material into an aerosol. In some examples, thenebulizer may also include a supporting component located on a side ofthe mesh plate opposite the piezo material to increase the longevity ofthe mesh plate, and/or an auxiliary component between the mesh plate andthe piezo material to facilitate interfacial contact between the meshplate and the piezo material.

In various example implementations, the mesh plate 182 may have avariety of different configurations. The mesh plate may have a flatprofile, a domed shape (concave or convex with respect to theaerosol-generating material), or a flat portion and a domed portion. Themesh plate defines a plurality of perforations 186 that may besubstantially uniform or vary in size across a perforated portion of themesh plate. The perforations may be circular openings or non-circularopenings (e.g., oval, rectangular, triangular, regular polygon,irregular polygon). In three-dimensions, the perforations may have afixed cross section such as in the case of cylindrical perforations witha fixed circular cross section, or a variable cross section such as inthe case of truncated cone perforations with a variable circular crosssection. In other implementations, the perforations may be tetragonal orpyramidal.

The piezo material 184 may be or include a piezoelectric material or apiezomagnetic material. A piezoelectric material may be coupled tocircuitry configured to produce an oscillating electric signal to drivethe piezoelectric material to vibrate. For a piezomagnetic material, thecircuitry may produce a pair of antiphase, oscillating electric signalsto drive a pair of magnets to produce antiphase, oscillating magneticfields that drives the piezomagnetic material to vibrate.

The piezo material 184 may be affixed to the mesh plate 182, andvibration of the piezo material may in turn cause the mesh plate tovibrate. The mesh plate may be in contact with or immersed inaerosol-generating material, in sufficient proximity ofaerosol-generating material, or may otherwise receive aerosol-generatingmaterial via an aerosol-generating material transfer component. Thevibration of the mesh plate, then, may cause the aerosol-generatingmaterial to pass through the perforations 186 that break up theaerosol-generating material into an aerosol. More particularly, in someexamples, aerosol-generating material may be driven through theperforations 186 in the vibrating mesh plate 182 resulting in aerosolparticles. In other examples in which the mesh plate is in contact withor immersed in aerosol-generating material, the vibrating mesh plate maycreate ultrasonic waves within aerosol-generating material that causeformation of an aerosol at the surface of the aerosol-generatingmaterial.

As described above, hybrid products use a combination ofaerosol-generating materials, and some hybrid products are similar tovapor products except that the aerosol generated from oneaerosol-generating material may pass through a second aerosol-generatingmaterial to pick up additional constituents. Another similar aerosolprovision system in the form of a hybrid product may therefore beconstructed similar to the vapor product in FIGS. 1B and 1C (with anelectric heater 144 or a nebulizer 180). The hybrid product may includea second aerosol-generating material through which aerosol from theaerosol-generating material 164 is passed to pick up additionalconstituents before passing through the opening 178 in the mouth end ofthe aerosol provision system.

FIGS. 2A, 2B and 2C illustrate an aerosol provision system 200 in theform of a heat-not-burn product, and that in some exampleimplementations may correspond to the aerosol provision system 100. Asshown, the aerosol provision system may include an aerosol provisiondevice 202 (also referred to as a control body or power unit) and aconsumable 204 (also referred to as an aerosol source member orcartridge), which may correspond to respectively the aerosol provisiondevice 102 and the consumable 104. The aerosol provision system and inparticular the aerosol provision device may also include an aerosolgenerator corresponding to the aerosol generator 106, and in the form ofan electric heater 206. The aerosol provision device and the consumablecan be permanently or detachably aligned in a functioning relationship.FIG. 2A illustrates the aerosol provision system in a coupledconfiguration, whereas FIG. 2B illustrates the aerosol provision systemin a decoupled configuration. FIG. 2C illustrates a partially cut-awayside view of the aerosol provision system in the coupled configuration.

As seen in FIGS. 2A, 2B and 2C, the aerosol provision device 202 andconsumable 204 each include a number of respective components. Thecomponents illustrated in the figures are representative of thecomponents that may be present in an aerosol provision device andconsumable and are not intended to limit the scope of components thatare encompassed by the present disclosure.

The aerosol provision device 202 may include a housing 208 (sometimesreferred to as an aerosol provision device shell) that may include apower source 210. The housing may also include circuitry 212 with aswitch in the form of a sensor 214, a user interface including a lightsource 216 that may be illuminated with use of the aerosol provisionsystem 200, and processing circuitry 218 (also referred to as a controlcomponent). In some examples, at least some of the electronic componentsof the circuitry may be formed of a circuit board or a flexible circuitboard that supports and electrically connects the electronic components.

The housing 208 may also include a receptacle in the form of aconsumable receiving chamber 220 structured to engage and hold theconsumable 204. The consumable 204 may include an aerosol-generatingmaterial 224 that may correspond to aerosol-generating material 124, andthat may include one or more of each of a number of constituents such asan active substance, flavorant, aerosol-former material or otherfunctional material. And the aerosol-generating material may be presenton or in a support to form a substrate 226.

In the coupled configuration of the aerosol provision system 200, theconsumable 204 may be held in the receiving chamber 220 in varyingdegrees. In some examples, less than half or approximately half of theconsumable may be held in the receiving chamber 220. In other examples,more than half of the consumable 204 may be held in the receivingchamber 220. In yet other examples, substantially the entire consumable204 may be held in the receiving chamber 220.

As shown in FIGS. 2B and 2C, in various implementations of the presentdisclosure, the consumable 204 may include a heated end 228 sized andshaped for insertion into the aerosol provision device 202, and a mouthend 230 upon which a user draws to create the aerosol. In variousimplementations, at least a portion of the heated end may include theaerosol-generating material 224.

In some example implementations, the mouth end 230 of the consumable 204may include a filter 232 made of a material such as cellulose acetate orpolypropylene. The filter may additionally or alternatively containstrands of tobacco containing material. In some examples, at least aportion of the consumable may be wrapped in an exterior overwrapmaterial, which may be formed of any material useful to provideadditional structure, support and/or thermal resistance. In someexamples, an excess length of the overwrap at the mouth end of theconsumable may function to simply separate the aerosol-generatingmaterial 224 from the mouth of a user or to provide space forpositioning of a filter material, or to affect draw on the consumable orto affect flow characteristics of the aerosol leaving the consumableduring draw.

The electric heater 206 may perform electric heating of theaerosol-generating material 224 by resistance (Joule) heating, inductionheating, dielectric and microwave heating, radiant heating, arc heatingand the like. The electric heater may have a variety of differentconfigurations. In some examples, at least a portion of the electricheater may surround or at least partially surround at least a portion ofthe consumable 204 including the aerosol-generating material wheninserted in the aerosol provision device 202. In other examples, atleast a portion of the electric heater may penetrate the consumable whenthe consumable is inserted into the aerosol provision device. In someexamples, the substrate 226 material may include a susceptor, which maybe embedded within the aerosol-generating material, or on one or eitherside of the aerosol-generating material.

Although shown as a part of the aerosol provision device 202, theelectric heater 206 may instead be a part of the consumable 504. In someexamples, the electric heater or a part of the electric heater may bemay be combined, packaged or integral with (e.g., embedded within) theaerosol-generating material 224.

As shown, in some examples, the electric heater 206 may extend proximatean engagement end of the housing 208, and may be configured tosubstantially surround a portion of the heated end 228 of the consumable204 that includes the aerosol-generating material 224. The electricheater 206 may be or may include an outer cylinder 242, and one or moreresistive heating elements 244 such as prongs surrounded by the outercylinder to create the receiving chamber 220, which may extend from areceiving base 246 of the aerosol provision device to an opening 248 ofthe housing 208 of the aerosol provision device. In some examples, theouter cylinder may be a double-walled vacuum tube constructed ofstainless steel so as to maintain heat generated by the resistiveheating element(s) within the outer cylinder, and more particularly,maintain heat generated by the resistive heating element(s) within theaerosol-generating material.

Like the electric heater 206, the resistive heating element(s) 244 mayhave a variety of different configurations, and vary in number from oneresistive heating element to a plurality of resistive heating elements.As shown, the resistive heating element(s) may extend from a receivingbase 246 of the aerosol provision device 202. In some examples, theresistive heating element(s) may be located at or around an approximateradial center of the heated end 228 of the consumable 204 when insertedinto the aerosol provision device. In some examples, the resistiveheating element(s) may penetrate into the heated end of the consumableand in direct contact with the aerosol-generating material. In otherexamples, the resistive heating element(s) may be located inside (butout of direct contact with) a cavity defined by an inner surface of theheated end of the consumable.

In some examples, the resistive heating element(s) 244 of the electricheater 206 may be connected in an electrical circuit that includes thepower source 210 such that electric current produced by the power sourcemay pass through the resistive heating element(s). The passage of theelectric current through the resistive heating element(s) may in turncause the resistive heating element(s) to produce heat throughresistance (Joule) heating.

In other examples, the electric heater 206 including the outer cylinder242 and the resistive heating element(s) 244 may be configured toperform induction heating in which the outer cylinder may be connectedin an electrical circuit that includes the power source 210, and theresistive heating element(s) may be connected in another electricalcircuit. In this configuration, the outer cylinder and resistive heatingelement(s) may function as a transformer in which the outer cylinder isan induction transmitter, and the resistive heating element(s) is/are aninduction receiver. In some of these examples, the outer cylinder andthe resistive heating element(s) may be parts of the aerosol provisiondevice 202. In other of these examples, the outer cylinder may be a partof the aerosol provision device, and the resistive heating element(s)may be a part of the consumable 204.

The outer cylinder 242 may be provided with an alternating currentdirectly from the power source 210, or indirectly from the power sourcein which an inverter (as part of the circuitry 212) is configured toconvert direct current from the power source to an alternating current.The alternating current drives the outer cylinder to generate anoscillating magnetic field, which induces eddy currents in the resistiveheating element(s) 244. The eddy currents in turn cause the resistiveheating element(s) to generate heat through resistance (Joule) heating.In these examples, the resistive heating element(s) may be wirelesslyheated to form an aerosol from the aerosol-generating material 224positioned in proximity to the resistive heating element(s).

In various example implementations, the aerosol provision device 202 mayinclude an air intake 250 (e.g., one or more openings or apertures) inthe housing 208 (and perhaps also the receiving base 246) to enableairflow into the receiving chamber 220. When a user draws on the mouthend 228 of the consumable 204, the airflow may be drawn through the airintake into the receiving chamber, pass into the consumable, and bedrawn through the aerosol-generating material 224. The airflow may bedetected by the sensor 214, and the electric heater 206 may be activatedto energize the aerosol-generating material to generate an aerosol. Theairflow may combine with the aerosol that is whisked, aspirated orotherwise drawn out an opening at the mouth end of the aerosol provisionsystem. In examples including the filter 232, the airflow combined withthe aerosol may be drawn out an opening of the filter at the mouth end.

As noted above, PSA may be desirable after purchase or acquisition ofthe aerosol provision devices 102/202 of FIGS. 1 and 2 , or otherdevices like them. FIG. 3 illustrates an example system diagram forfunctional control of a device 300 (which may be an example of theaerosol provision devices 102/202 of FIGS. 1 and 2 ) for PSA inaccordance with an example embodiment. In this regard, FIG. 3illustrates how the device 300 communicates with an age verificationsystem 310 through a network 320 and a host device 330, in order toverify the user's age, which may also be used to authenticate the device300 periodically. The device 300 may be in a locked state (e.g., inwhich the device 300 is unusable or such usage is strictly controlled)until authenticated properly via the PSA process. After authentication,the device 300 may be unlocked and operate normally. The ageverification system 310 may be operably coupled with the host device 330over the network 320. Although not shown, the age verification system310 may be coupled with the device 300 over the network 320.

The device 300 may be any aerosol delivery device, including for examplean electronic nicotine delivery systems (“ENDS”) device according tovarious embodiments described above. In one embodiment, the ageverification system 310 may not only verify an age (e.g. for an agerestricted product), but may also provide authentication or useridentification (e.g. for an actual purchase or to prevent theft). Anexample of the authentication and age verification by the ageverification system 310 is further described in U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 16/415,460, entitled “AUTHENTICATION AND AGE VERIFICATION FORAN AEROSOL DELIVERY DEVICE,” which claims priority to U.S. ProvisionalApp. No. 62/282,222 on Apr. 2, 2019, the entire disclosures of each ofwhich are hereby incorporated by reference. The authentication describedbelow may rely on age verification being performed first and thenreferenced for subsequent authentication using a control signal 340 sentto the device 300. However, there may be other verification mechanismsother than age. For example, in some embodiments, user identificationmay be performed in lieu of age verification. Thus, for example, the ageverification system 310 is more generally simply an example of anauthorization system that is configured to conduct PSA for the device300, and the age verification system 310 may therefore more generally bereferred to as an authentication agent. Cartridges or consumables may beregistered as part of the age verification or authentication process asdescribed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/415,444, entitled “AGEVERIFICATION WITH REGISTERED CARTRIDGES FOR AN AEROSOL DELIVERY DEVICE,”filed on May 17, 2019, the entire disclosure of which is hereinincorporated by reference. U.S. Pat. No. 8,689,804 to Fernando et al.discloses identification systems for smoking devices, the disclosure ofwhich is being incorporated herein by reference.

The age verification system 310 may include a database that tracks usersalong with ages, as well as maintains a record of the devices andcomponents (e.g. cartridges) along with approvals. It may be encryptedand/or use anonymous identifiers (e.g. numbers, letters, or anyalphanumeric identifiers) for each user.

The initial age verification may occur and be stored in the database,such as may be maintained at the age verification system 310 and/orotherwise accessible over the network 320. In some embodiments, ageverification records may be maintained using blockchain technology.Future age verification requests by that user may be confirmed bycalling the database. Specifically, once a user is initially ageverified as confirmed in the age verification system database, futureverifications (i.e. “authentications”) may be merely calls to thisdatabase for unlocking the device 300. In other words, a user initiallyperforms an age verification and then subsequent usage may requireauthentication without the complete initial age verificationrequirements. The frequency with which the device 300 must be unlockedor authenticated can vary. Likewise, the timing for when a user needs tore-verify their age (or otherwise re-authenticate themselves) may vary.For example, each time the cartridge is replaced, the user may need tore-verify or re-authenticate. In some embodiments, the re-authenticationmay be required after a certain number of puffs from the device 300 ormay be based on the passage of time (e.g. once per hour, day, week,month, etc.). The online database may track the requests forauthentication and set limits per user. This can prevent the potentialfraud of a single user unlocking other under-age user's devices. Thisalso would prevent the re-distribution of unlocked (i.e. verified andauthenticated) devices and/or accessories. Reasonable limits for thenumber of devices, chargers, consumables, and/or authentications canprevent this potential fraud.

A user profile may be stored (e.g. on the device 300 or from anapplication or app on a host device 330) that includes an age verifiedidentity for the user. An app on the host device 330 may access the userprofile over a network, such as the network 320. Once a user isinitially age verified as confirmed in the age verification systemdatabase, the user profile for that user may be generated and saved sothat future verifications (i.e. “authentications”) may be merely callsto this database. In one embodiment, the age verification may be aprerequisite for the host device 330 to be able to generate and submitthe control signal 340 to the device 300.

The host device 330 may be any computing or communication device, suchas a smartphone, tablet, cellular phone, analog phone, computer, ordedicated authentication device at a point of sale. The host device 330may communicate with or provide the control signal 340 to the device 300for authentication or activation. The control signal 340 from the hostdevice 320 to the device 300 may be a wired or a wireless signal suchas, for example an RF signal, a vibratory signal, an audio signal or alight/optical signal. Optical signals should be understood to includethose in the visible light spectrum, but also infra-red signals, fiberoptic signals, ultraviolet light signals as well as signals associatedwith intensity tuning or wavelength tuning. Audible signals should beunderstood to include those in and outside the audible range for humans.Moreover, audible signals that employ decibel tuning or frequency tuningmay also be included. In some embodiments, the host device 330 maytherefore couple audibly or optically with the device 300 in order tocommunicate the control signal 340 to authenticate and/or unlock thedevice 300. Thus, the ability of the host device 330 with respect totransmission of the control signal 340, and the environmental factorsthat may impact receipt of the control signal 340 at the device 300 areall important to successful authentication or authorization of thedevice 300.

Particularly for examples in which the control signal 340 is an opticalsignal or audio signal, the device 300 may include an aperture 345formed in a housing of the device 300. The aperture 345 may in turnprovide access for the audio or optical signal that is an example of thecontrol signal 340 to reach a signal detector 350. The signal detector350 may interface with a lock assembly 360 to alternately lock or unlockthe device 300 as described herein. In some cases, the signal detector350 may further include a feedback device (FBD) 352 that is configuredto provide visual, haptic and/or audible feedback to the user relatingto the success or failure of attempts to unlock the device 300 (or otherstatus information). In some cases, the feedback device 352 may include,vibrating components, lights (e.g., one or more light emitting diodes(LEDs)) or speakers that provide an output responsive to successful orfailed efforts to operate the lock assembly 360. In an exampleembodiment, a different color or sequence of lights, or a differentsound or tonal pattern may indicate success and failure or even otherstatus information.

In an example embodiment, the signal detector 350 may be configured toprocess the control signal 340 to utilize or extract an unlock codetherein for PSA. Thus, in a context in which the control signal 340 isan optical signal, audio signal, an RF signal or a vibratory signal, itshould be appreciated that the signal detector 350 is configured toprocess the control signal 340 to determine the unlock code forprovision to the lock assembly 360 to unlock the lock assembly 360 usingthe unlock code.

The lock assembly 360 may be configured to prevent operation of thedevice 300 for generating an aerosol when the device 300 is in a lockedstate, and enable operation of the device 300 for generating the aerosolwhen the device 300 is in an unlocked state. For example, when in thelocked state, the lock assembly configured to prevent operation of theaerosol generator 106 of FIG. 1 with respect to generating the aerosol,and enable operation of the aerosol generator 106 for generating theaerosol in the unlocked state. The lock assembly 360 may be the laststep in the PSA process (or one of the last steps), and may apply theunlock code (or unique code) provided in the control signal 340 totransition from the locked state to the unlocked state if the unlockcode is authenticated. As such, the signal detector 350 may receive thecontrol signal 340 and process the control signal 340 using appropriatetechniques to obtain the unlock code from the control signal 340 andprovide the unlock code to the lock assembly 360. If authenticated, thelock assembly 360 may enable the device 300 to be shifted to theunlocked state to enable aerosol generation, thereby successfullycompleting the PSA process.

As noted above, the control signal 340 may be a wireless signal that maybe, for example, optical or audible. General information regardingprocessing the control signal 340 as an optical signal is provided inU.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/441,937, entitled “FUNCTIONALCONTROL AND AGE VERIFICATION OF ELECTRONIC DEVICES THROUGH VISUALCOMMUNICATION,” filed on Jun. 14, 2019, the entire disclosure of whichis herein incorporated by reference. Similarly, information regardingprocessing the control signal 340 as an audible signal is provided inU.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/441,903, entitled “FUNCTIONALCONTROL AND AGE VERIFICATION OF ELECTRONIC DEVICES THROUGH SPEAKERCOMMUNICATION,” filed on Jun. 14, 2019, the entire disclosure of whichis herein incorporated by reference. The signal detector 350 may beconfigured to provide processing for the control signal 340 in eithercontext.

To the extent a user obtains the device 300 and attempts to perform PSAin the manner generally described above, but the attempted PSA fails dueto limitations of the host device 330 or various technical orenvironmental factors, the user may become irritated or annoyed.Meanwhile, if the PSA attempt proceeds smoothly for the user, thelikelihood of user satisfaction, positive reviews, and continued salesof such devices may be increased. Thus, to provide a higher likelihoodof a positive user experience associated with PSA, example embodimentsmay provide the ability to ensure that the device 300 is fully equippedto operate as intended to perform PSA by ensuring that each of thesignal detector 350 and the lock assembly 360 are functionally tested tooperate properly as described in greater detail below.

In an example embodiment, a testing fixture 370 may be operably coupledto the device 300 to test the device 300 functionally before the device300 is sold or distributed in order to provide this ability. In thisregard, for example, the testing fixture 370 may be configured tointerface with the signal detector 350 to provide test signaling 372.The test signaling 372 may pass through the aperture 345 formed in ahousing of the device 300, and otherwise cause the signal detector 350to operate as described above to operate the lock assembly 360 totransition to the unlocked state, and then transition back into thelocked state. As such, the testing fixture 370 may be configured tocycle the device 300 through the unlocked and locked states to confirmthat the device 300 operates properly for PSA. The testing fixture 370may also confirm other information about the device 300 (e.g., a uniqueidentifier or unique ID of the device 300) in preparation for enablingthe device 300 to be sold or otherwise distributed and then unlocked bythe user who purchases the device 300. Operation of the testing fixture370 and various structures, devices or components that may be employedin the testing fixture 370 will now be described in reference to FIGS.4-7 .

FIG. 4 illustrates a schematic diagram of one example implementation ofthe testing fixture 370. In this regard, FIG. 4 illustrates externallyvisible features or structures of the testing fixture 370, and otherfigures will show internal features or components. In this example, thetesting fixture 370 may have a housing 400 that houses or otherwiseincludes a plurality of testing modules 410. The housing 400 may be arigid structure supporting each of the testing modules 410 and, in somecases, the testing modules 410 themselves may be removable and/orreplaceable to either repair or replace a damaged module, or replacemodules configured to interface with one type of the device 300 withmodules that are configured to interface with other and different typesof the device 300.

Each of the testing modules 410 (e.g., testing modules #1, #2, #3, #4, .. . #N) may have a same or similar structure to other testing modules410 used at any given time. Moreover, the testing modules 410 may beoperated (or at least operable) simultaneously to conduct testing ofmultiple respective instances of the device 300 of FIG. 3 . Thus, forexample, an operator of the testing fixture 370 may insert an instanceof the device 300 into each one of the testing modules 410. The testingmodules 410 may then execute a testing procedure to test each instanceof the device 300 for proper unlocking and locking operation. In somecases, the testing modules 410 may also be used to extract or confirmother information from each instance of the device 300 as well. Forexample, in some embodiments, the testing modules 410 may read theunique ID of each instance of the device 300. Moreover, in someexamples, the unlocking operation may be conducted using an unlock codethat is generated based on (and in some cases specific to) the uniqueID. Thus, for example, the test modules 410 may learn or extract theunique ID for the device 300 in a given one of the testing modules 410(i.e., in its cavity 412) and reference a listing of correspondingunique unlock codes in a table (stored in memory 504 of FIG. 5 ). Theunique unlock code for the corresponding unique ID used to enter thetable may then be used to generate the unlock instruction for the device300. As an alternative, the unique ID could form a basis for generatingthe unique unlock code. In either example case, the memory 504 may storeinstructions for generation of the unique unlock code based on theunique ID provided.

In an example embodiment, each of the testing modules 410 may includethe additional components or structures shown in FIG. 4 in associationwith testing module #1. In this regard, each of the testing modules 410may include a cavity 412 into which a portion of the device 300 (e.g.,the housing 208 of the aerosol provision device 202 or the housing 145of the aerosol provision device 141 described above) may be inserted. Inother words, the non-consumable or power unit portion of the device 300may be inserted into the cavity 412. As such, the cavity 412 may bedefined as an elongated slot that is shaped and formed to receive thepower unit of the device 300. Thus, the cavity 412 may have acylindrical shape, a rectangular prism shape, or various perturbationsof these or other shapes in order to receive and support the power unitof the device 300 that the testing fixture 370 is designed to test. Inmany cases, the cavity 412 may be provided at the front side or frontpanel of the housing 400. In such cases, the cavity 412 will typicallyextend into the housing 400 in a direction parallel to the surface onwhich the housing 400 is supported. However, the cavities 412 mayalternatively be on a sidewall of the housing 400 or another accessiblesurface or wall of the housing 400 such as the top surface. Whenprovided at the top surface of the housing 400, the cavity 412 mayextend in a downward direction normal or perpendicular to the surface onwhich the housing 400 is supported. Thus, one of skill in the art willeasily appreciate that in one instance FIG. 4 illustrates a front face(or side face) of the housing 400 so that the surface is at the bottomof the housing 400 as the housing 400 appears on the page. Meanwhile, inanother alternative, FIG. 4 could be appreciated to show a top face ofthe housing 400 such that the surface is behind the housing 400 as thehousing 400 appears on the page.

Each of the testing modules 410 may also include a status panel 414 toshow a status of testing conducted on the power unit of the device 300in the corresponding one of the testing modules 410 and a start button416 (or a key, switch, lever, or other operable member) used as a userinterface element for starting (or pausing) a test for the device in thecorresponding one of the testing modules 410. The operator may thereforeinsert the power unit of the device 300 into a selected one of thetesting modules 410 (e.g., testing module #1) and press the start button416 of the selected one of the testing modules 410 to begin a test onthe power unit of the device 300. While that test begins or is inprogress, the operator may insert the power unit of another instance ofthe device 300 into an adjacent (or any other) one of the testingmodules 410 (e.g., testing module #2) and press the start button 416 ofthe adjacent (or other) one of the testing modules to begin a test onthe power unit of the other instance of the device 300. This process maybe repeated for each of the testing modules 410 until, for example, alltesting modules 410 have an instance of the device 300 therein and areconducting or have completed conducting a test on the instance of thedevice 300. The operator can continue to cycle through inserting,testing, withdrawing and inserting new devices in each of the cavitiesuntil a full batch of devices has been tested.

Each of the testing modules 410 may also include a data input/output(IO) port 418. In some cases, the data input/output port 418 may be auniversal serial bus (USB) port or other standard interface port.However, proprietary connections may alternatively be employed in someexamples. Notably, although FIG. 4 shows five testing modules 410,example embodiments are scalable to include any desirable number of thetesting modules 410. In this regard, for example, the average time ittakes to conduct a test may be balanced against the number of cavitiesso that a relatively continuous process of cycling through insertion ofdevices, initiation of testing, and replacement of the inserted deviceswith devices needing to be tested after testing of already inserteddevices is complete may efficiently be performed.

Each of the data input/output ports 418 of the testing modules 410 maybe operably coupled to a common point or device such as a communicationshub 420. The communications hub 420 of this example may be a USB bankconfigured to connect each of the testing modules 410 to an operatorconsole 430 for output of information associated with the testingprocesses being conducted at each respective one of the testing modules410. Thus, for example, if five testing modules are included (i.e., N=5)as shown in the example of FIG. 4 , the communications hub 420 mayreceive information from each of the testing modules 410 for provisionto the operator console 430 via one data line (e.g., a single cable orconnection), which may be wired or wireless.

The operator console 430 may include a display 440 and any of a numberof user interface components (e.g., a keyboard, mouse, touch screeninterface, etc.). The operator console 430 may therefore, in some cases,be a standalone computer or laptop. However, in other cases, theoperator console 430 may be collection of individual user interfacecomponents such as the display 440 and a mouse, keyboard, etc. As such,it should be appreciated that the housing 400 may be connected todifferent operator consoles, or different components that may act as theoperator console 430, and example embodiments and testing methods maystill be practiced. In other words, the testing fixture 370 of exampleembodiments may be interchangeably connected to a number of differentoutput devices or operator consoles. Thus, for example, an operator mayobtain one or more instances of the testing fixture 370 and operablycouple the instances of the testing fixture 370 with any suitablecomponents or devices that can act as the operator console 430 and nospecial equipment may be needed to act as the operator console 430.

However, in other instances, the testing fixture 370 may be configuredto stand entirely alone, and operate testing described herein withoutany external connections. In such examples, either the communicationshub 420 and the operator console 430 may be internalized or parts of thetesting fixture 370, or the testing fixture 370 may independentlyoperate using just the start button 416 to start testing and the statuspanel 414 to indicate whether the test has passed or failed (or is inprogress). For example, the status panel 414 may include a green lightindicating a pass and a red light indicating a fail. Other lights, orsimply patterns of flashing for the lights, may be used to indicateother statuses (e.g., testing in progress, time remaining for a test,test phase in progress, etc.).

In such an example, the data associated with testing for each power unitof the device 300 may be recorded in association with the unique ID ofthe corresponding device. Thus, for example, the start button 416 may bepart of a keyboard or data entry panel via which the unique ID of eachinstance of the device 300 may be entered. Alternatively, the testingmodules 410 may be configured to automatically read and determine theunique ID directly from the device 300. In either case, testing data maybe recorded in association with each unique ID and stored locally at thetesting fixture 370. The data input/output port 418 may then be used ata later time to transfer data associated with each of the unique IDstested to an external device (e.g., the operator console 430). The datamay then be displayed at the external device or otherwise be analyzed todetermine patterns or clues that may be used to improve the testingprocess, or the locking/unlocking operations that are generallyconducted for the device 300 as described above. Alternatively, the datamay be displayed on the display 440 either in real time or post hoc foranalysis or use by the operator.

As shown in FIG. 4 , the display 440 may provide device information 450for each respective instance of the device 300 in respective cavities412 of the testing modules 410. The device information 450 may include acavity identifier 452, a device identifier 454 that provides the uniqueID for the respective instance of the device 300, and status information456 associated with the testing. Although not required, in some cases,the device information 450 may also include a soft key such as a startbutton 458, which may be used to control initiation, pausing, or othercontrol over the conduct of testing at the operator console 430 insteadof locally at the housing 400 (and at each individual one of the testingmodules 410 using the start button 416).

FIG. 5 illustrates a functional block diagram of various components ofthe test fixture 370 of an example embodiment. The test fixture 370 mayinclude processing circuitry 500 configured to perform data processing,control function execution and/or other processing and managementservices according to an example embodiment. In some embodiments, theprocessing circuitry 500 may be embodied as a chip or chip set. In otherwords, the processing circuitry 500 may comprise one or more physicalpackages (e.g., chips) including materials, components and/or wires on astructural assembly (e.g., a baseboard). The structural assembly mayprovide physical strength, conservation of size, and/or limitation ofelectrical interaction for component circuitry included thereon. Theprocessing circuitry 500 may therefore, in some cases, be configured toimplement an embodiment of the present invention on a single chip or asa single “system on a chip.” As such, in some cases, a chip or chipsetmay constitute means for performing one or more operations for providingthe functionalities described herein.

In an example embodiment, the processing circuitry 500 may include oneor more instances of a processor 502 and memory 504 that may be incommunication with or otherwise control a device interface 510. As such,the processing circuitry 500 may be embodied as a circuit chip (e.g., anintegrated circuit chip) configured (e.g., with hardware, software or acombination of hardware and software) to perform operations describedherein. However, in some embodiments, the processing circuitry 500 maybe embodied as a portion of an on-board computer.

The device interface 510 may include one or more interface mechanismsfor enabling communication with other devices (e.g., modules, entities,and/or other components of the test fixture 370, of the control console430 of FIG. 4 , or the like). In some cases, the device interface 510may be any means such as a device or circuitry embodied in eitherhardware, or a combination of hardware and software that is configuredto receive and/or transmit data from/to modules, entities, and/or othercomponents that are in communication with the processing circuitry 500(directly or indirectly).

The device interface 510 may, in some cases, connect the processingcircuitry 500 to internal and/or external components that combine toform a user interface for the test fixture 370. In FIG. 5 , those userinterface components are shown to include a monitor/display 520 (whichmay be the display 440 of FIG. 4 , or one or all of the status panels414 associated with each of the testing modules 410), a keyboard 522,and a mouse 524. The mouse 524 and keyboard 522 may be parts of theoperator console 430 of FIG. 4 or separate components. If separate, themouse 524 and keyboard 522 may be operably coupled to the processingcircuitry 500 via standard connections (e.g., USB) or via proprietarymeans. Similarly, the monitor/display 520 may have any of a number ofconnection means including, for example, HDMI. Moreover, the deviceinterface 510 may also or alternatively be operably coupled to othercomponents that provide an audible, visual, mechanical or other outputto the user such as, for example, speakers, switches, indicator lights,buttons or keys (e.g., function buttons), and/or other input/outputmechanisms.

In some embodiments, the device interface 510 may also operably couplethe test fixture 370 to a power supply 526. Thus, for example, thedevice interface 510 may include power control circuitry for convertingAC to DC power (or vice versa) to power the electrical components of thetest fixture 370. Thus, the power supply 526 could be mains power orbattery power, regardless of the individual power needs of thecomponents of the test fixture 370.

In some embodiments, the device interface 510 may also operably coupledthe test fixture 370 to external components for analysis, remotemonitoring, or other purposes via a network 528 that may be operablycoupled to the processing circuitry 500 via Ethernet or other networkingtechnologies. The network 528 may be a local, private, public, or othercommunication network including, for example, a local area network (LAN)or the Internet. In some cases, the test fixture 370 may include aninput/output (I/O) expansion port 530. The input/output expansion port530 may enable any of a number of additional devices, components, ormodules to be operably coupled to the test fixture 370. Thus, forexample, the input/output port 530 could be used to connect the testfixture 370 directly to external devices (i.e., without a networkconnection) or may be used to expand the capacity of the test fixture370 by enabling scaling of the number of testing modules 410 to whichthe test fixture 370 can be coupled. In some cases, the input/outputexpansion port 530 may be operably coupled to a printer 529, which maybe used to print the unique ID of each individual one of the devices.However, the printer 529 could alternatively be located in or accessedvia the network 528. As noted above, the unique ID may be used togenerate the proper unique unlock code for each respective differentinstance of the device 300. Thus, the consumer or end user will need theunique ID in order to generate (e.g., via the host device 330) thecorrect unique unlock code to operate the lock assembly 360. Byproviding a printed label or other printed version of the unique ID, theinformation can be provided to the consumer or end user with the productafter confirmation (by the test fixture 370) that the unique unlock codecorresponding to the unique ID does indeed work to unlock the lockassembly 360.

The processor 502 may be embodied in a number of different ways. Forexample, the processor 502 may be embodied as various processing meanssuch as one or more of a microprocessor or other processing element, acoprocessor, a controller or various other computing or processingdevices including integrated circuits such as, for example, an ASIC(application specific integrated circuit), an FPGA (field programmablegate array), or the like. In an example embodiment, the processor 502may be configured to execute instructions stored in the memory 504 orotherwise accessible to the processor 502. As such, whether configuredby hardware or by a combination of hardware and software, the processor502 may represent an entity (e.g., physically embodied in circuitry—inthe form of processing circuitry 500) capable of performing operationsaccording to example embodiments while configured accordingly. Thus, forexample, when the processor 502 is embodied as an ASIC, FPGA or thelike, the processor 502 may be specifically configured hardware forconducting the operations described herein. Alternatively, as anotherexample, when the processor 502 is embodied as an executor of softwareinstructions, the instructions may specifically configure the processor502 to perform the operations described herein associated with testingfunctional PSA capabilities.

In an example embodiment, the processor 502 (or the processing circuitry500) may be operably coupled to and control the operation of a PSA board540 associated with each one of the test modules 410. In this regard,based on inputs received by the processing circuitry 500 responsive toinsertion of a power unit into one of the cavities 412, the processingcircuitry 500 may initiate the performance of testing via the PSA board540 associated with the cavity 412. As such, in some embodiments, theprocessor 502 (or the processing circuitry 500) may be said to causeeach of the operations described in connection with the PSA boards 540in relation to generating/receiving and processing informationassociated with locking/unlocking the lock assembly 360 as describedherein responsive to execution of instructions or algorithms configuringthe processor 502 (or processing circuitry 500) accordingly.

In an exemplary embodiment, the memory 504 may include one or morenon-transitory memory devices such as, for example, volatile and/ornon-volatile memory that may be either fixed or removable. The memory504 may be configured to store information, data, applications,instructions or the like for enabling the processing circuitry 500 tocarry out various functions in accordance with exemplary embodiments ofthe present invention. For example, the memory 504 could be configuredto buffer input data for processing by the processor 502. Additionallyor alternatively, the memory 504 could be configured to storeinstructions for execution by the processor 502. As yet anotheralternative, the memory 504 may include one or more databases that maystore a variety of data sets responsive to operation of the PSA boards540. Among the contents of the memory 504, applications and/orinstructions may be stored for execution by the processor 502 in orderto carry out the functionality associated with each respectiveapplication/instruction. In some cases, the applications may includeinstructions for providing inputs to control operation of the PSA boards540 as described herein.

In an example embodiment, the memory 504 may store data associated withsignaling used for locking/unlocking the lock assembly 360 for analysisor debugging. Thus, for example, the memory 504 may store signalingparameters or characteristics that may be used to analyze why aparticular test associated with a particular one of the devices 300failed by comparing such parameters or characteristics to thoseassociated with other devices that passed. The memory 504 may furtherstore instructions for defining how to store testing information, how toaggregate or process such information, and/or how to represent suchinformation on the monitor/display 520 or other output devices.

As shown in FIG. 5 , the number of PSA boards 540 may match the numberof testing modules 410 since each testing module 410 may include acorresponding PSA board 540. Each of the PSA boards 540 of an exampleembodiment may include an optical sensor 542 and an optical transmitter544. However, it should be appreciated that to the extent audiblesignals are used, audio transmitters and receivers could replace theoptical transmitter 544 and optical sensor 542, respectively. Theoptical transmitter 544 may be configured to transmit optical signals tothe device 300 when inserted into one of the cavities 412, and theoptical sensor 542 may be configured to receive optical signals orfeedback from the device 300 in the cavity 412. In some cases, only theoptical transmitter 544 may be employed, and the optical sensor 542 maybe omitted.

The optical transmitter 544 and optical sensor 542 (if employed) of eachtesting module 410 may be placed proximate to the cavity 412 of thecorresponding testing module 410. FIG. 6 shows a side view (in partialcross section) of a cavity 600 (which is one example of the cavities 412of FIG. 4 ) to illustrate how the optical transmitter 544 and theoptical sensor 542 may be arranged in one example. The cavity 600 has anopening 602 at a proximal end thereof, and a distal end of the cavity600 may be enclosed (e.g., within structures of the correspondingtesting module 410). In this regard, FIG. 6 shows a power unit 610 of aninstance of the device 300 inserted into the cavity 600 via the opening602. Notably, a portion of the power unit 610 extends out of the cavity600 (i.e., out of the opening 602) to enable the operator to manuallyremove the power unit 610 from the cavity 600 after testing iscompleted.

Upon insertion of the power unit 610 into the cavity 600, an electricalconnection may be made between an electrical interface 620 (e.g.,connection pins) located in the distal end of the cavity 600 and powerpins 630 of the power unit 610. As noted above, the power unit 610 mayhave a unique ID associated therewith. In some example embodiments, theunique ID may automatically be read or extracted from the power unit 610responsive to connection of the power pints 630 and the electricalinterface 620. In some cases, insertion of the power unit 610 into thecavity 600, and the corresponding connection of the electrical interface620 of the testing module 410 to the power pins 630 of the power unit610 may also or alternatively automatically initiate a locking sequenceto lock the power unit 610 (i.e., to lock the lock assembly 360). Forexample, the connection of the electrical interface 620 to the powerpins 630 may trigger (e.g., via instruction by the PSA board 540 or theprocessor 502) the sending of a lock instruction to lock the lockassembly 360 via the connection. Although the power unit 610 may alreadybe in a locked state, the provision of the lock instruction may ensurethat regardless of the state of the power unit 610, the state is set tolocked by default upon insertion of the power unit 610 into the cavity600.

The insertion of the power unit 610 into the cavity 600 may also alignthe optical transmitter 544 with an aperture 640 formed in a body orhousing of the power unit 610. An optical receiver of the power unit 610may be aligned with the aperture 640 to receive optical signalstransmitted by the optical transmitter 544. To the extent the opticalsensor 542 is employed, the optical sensor 542 may also be aligned witha status light 650 of the power unit 610. The status light 650 mayprovide a pattern, color or other light output that may indicate statusor status changes of the power unit 610.

In an example embodiment, the processing circuitry 500 may manageoperation of the PSA board 540 (and more particularly of the opticaltransmitter 544 and the optical sensor 542) for the provision of anunlock instruction via the optical transmitter 544. For example, afterthe lock instruction is sent, a delay of a predetermined time may beinitiated and, when expired, the optical transmitter 544 may provide anunlock code via optical signaling that comprises the unlock instructiondelivered through the aperture 640 to an optical receiver of the powerunit 610. If the unlock code is properly received by the power unit 610,the power unit 610 will switch to the lock assembly 360 to the unlockedstate. Switching to the unlocked state may cause a feedback or statussignal to be generated by the status light 650 of the power unit 610.The optical sensor 542 may detect the feedback or status signal from thestatus light 650 indicating the unlocking of the power unit 610.

Responsive to determining that the power unit 610 has been successfullytransitioned to the unlocked state, the processing circuitry 500 mayprovide an indication to the status panel 414 and/or the display 440 toindicate that the functional test of the power unit 610 has passed(e.g., via a green light or other pass indication). The processingcircuitry 500 may then further direct transitioning the power unit 610back to the locked state (e.g., via the connection of the electricalinterface 620 to the power pins 630 as described above). If the feedbackor status signal from the status light 650 of the power unit 610 doesnot indicate that the power unit 610 successfully transitioned to theunlocked state, the processing circuitry 500 may provide an indicationto the status panel 414 and/or the display 440 to indicate that thefunctional test of the power unit 610 has failed (e.g., via a red lightor other fail indication).

FIG. 6 shows the optical transmitter 544 and the optical sensor 542 bothdisposed on a top portion of the cavity 600. However, the opticaltransmitter 544 and the optical sensor 542 could alternatively both belocated on either side or the bottom portion of the cavity 600.Moreover, in some cases, the optical transmitter 544 and the opticalsensor 542 could be on different sides of the cavity 600. For example,the optical transmitter 544 could be located at the top portion of thecavity 600 and the optical sensor 542 may be located at the bottomportion of the cavity 600. The structure of the power unit 610 (andlocation of the aperture 640 and status light 650) will typicallydictate the locations of the optical transmitter 544 and the opticalsensor 542 within the cavity 600. In some cases, the cavity 600 may alsoinclude one or more shielding structures (e.g., a wall or other physicalseparator) aimed at ensuring that the light signals transmitted by or tothe optical transmitter 544 and the optical sensor 542 are not visibleat the other one of the optical transmitter 544 or the optical sensor542. In other words, the shielding structures may isolate eachrespective component from the other to avoid interference.

Although FIG. 6 illustrates the aperture 640 and the status light 650being spaced apart from each other along the longitudinal length of thepower unit 610, such spacing need not be provided in all cases. Whensuch spacing exists, as noted above, the optical transmitter 544 and theoptical sensor 542 may also be equally spaced apart along thelongitudinal length of the cavity 600. As an alternative, the aperture640 and status light 650 may be collocated or adjacent to each other. Insuch examples, the PSA board 700 of FIG. 7 may be employed.

As shown in FIG. 7 , the PSA board 700 may include a light ring 710 uponwhich a plurality of LEDs 720 may be placed. FIG. 7 shows six LEDs 720provided on the light ring 710. However, more or fewer LEDs 720 could beincluded in alternative embodiments. The light ring 710 and the LEDs 720may form the optical transmitter 544 of FIGS. 5 and 6 . The PSA board700 may also include a pair of phototransistors 730. However, a singlephototransistor or multiple additional phototransistors may be employedin some alternatives. The phototransistors 730 may form the opticalsensor 542. In this example, the light ring 710 surrounds thephototransistors 730. This supports a concentric collocation of theoptical transmitter 544 and the optical sensor 542. However, otherarrangements (e.g., adjacent) could alternatively be employed.

Some example embodiments may provide a test fixture that can be used totest aerosol provision devices prior to packaging, shipping or otherwisedistributing such devices with respect to each devices ability toproperly be unlocked using the PSA techniques defined for the devices.The test fixture may include a housing, a plurality of testing modulesdisposed at the housing where each of the testing modules includes acavity configured to receive a portion of an aerosol provision device,and processing circuitry operably coupled to the testing modules. Eachof the testing modules may be configured to interface with a lockassembly of a respective one of the aerosol provision devices totransition the lock assembly between a locked and unlocked state duringa functional test controlled by the processing circuitry. The processingcircuitry may be configured to conduct the functional test of at leasttwo of the testing modules simultaneously. Notably, however, the lockassembly is just one example of an assembly that may be transitionedusing the test fixture described above. Thus, more generally, the lockedand unlocked states should be understood to be examples of transitionsbetween an initial state and a transitioned state. Accordingly, as usedherein, the terms locked state and unlocked state are examples of statesbetween which the test fixture may be configured to transition one ormore assemblies (such as the lock assembly). Other assemblies and otherstates may also be included in example embodiments without departingfrom the spirit and scope of the disclosure provided herein, and thecorresponding claims.

The test fixture may include a number of modifications, augmentations,or optional additions, some of which are described herein. Themodifications, augmentations or optional additions listed below may beadded in any desirable combination. Within this context, the system asdescribed above may be considered a first embodiment, and otherembodiments may be defined by each respective combination ofmodifications, augmentations or optional additions. For example, asecond embodiment may be defined in which the testing modules areremovable and replaceable. The replacement of testing modules may beused to configure the testing modules for testing of different models ofpower units or aerosol provision devices by changing the shape of thecavity and positioning of the optical transmitter and/or optical sensortherein (among other possible changes). Alternatively or additionally, athird embodiment may be defined in which the cavity may be disposed at afront portion of the housing and extends longitudinally into the testfixture parallel to a surface on which the test fixture is supported. Inan example embodiment, a fourth embodiment may be defined in which thecavity may be disposed at a top portion of the housing and extendslongitudinally into the test fixture perpendicular to a surface on whichthe test fixture is supported. The fourth embodiment may be combinedwith any or all of embodiments one to two. In some examples, a fifthembodiment may be defined in which the processing circuitry may beconfigured to separately conduct and record testing for a power unitassociated with each respective one of the testing modules. The fifthembodiment may be combined with any or all of embodiments one to four.In an example embodiment, a sixth embodiment may be defined in which thetesting modules may each include a status panel configured to indicate astatus of the functional test conducted at a corresponding one of thetesting modules. The sixth embodiment may be combined with any or all ofembodiments one to five. In some examples, a seventh embodiment may bedefined in which the testing modules may each be operably coupled to aremote operator console, and the remote operator console may include adisplay configured to simultaneously indicate a status of the functionaltest being conducted at a plurality of the testing modules. The seventhembodiment may be combined with any or all of embodiments one to six. Inan example embodiment, an eighth embodiment may be defined in which theprocessing circuitry may be configured to initiate the functional testbased on operator instruction provided locally at a corresponding one ofthe testing modules. The eighth embodiment may be combined with any orall of embodiments one to seven. In some examples, a ninth embodimentmay be defined in which the processing circuitry may be configured toinitiate the functional test based on operator instruction providedremotely at an operator console operably coupled to the test fixture.The ninth embodiment may be combined with any or all of embodiments oneto eight. In an example embodiment, a tenth embodiment may be defined inwhich the test fixture may be configured to receive a power unit of oneof the aerosol provision devices in the cavity and the test fixture maybe configured to determine a unique identifier associated with the powerunit responsive to insertion of the power unit into the cavity. Thetenth embodiment may be combined with any or all of embodiments one tonine. In some examples, an eleventh embodiment may be defined in whichthe processing circuitry may be configured to compare the uniqueidentifier determined to a provided identifier to determine whether theprovided identifier and the unique identifier determined match. Theeleventh embodiment may be combined with any or all of embodiments oneto ten. In some examples, a twelfth embodiment may be defined in whichthe processing circuitry may be configured to instruct a printer toprint the unique identifier on a label responsive to determining thatthe provided identifier and the unique identifier determined match. Thetwelfth embodiment may be combined with any or all of embodiments one toeleven. In some examples, a thirteenth embodiment may be defined inwhich the test fixture may be configured to generate a unique code(e.g., a unique unlock code) based on the unique identifier, and thelock assembly may transition to the transitioned state (e.g., theunlocked state) responsive to receipt of the unique code. The thirteenthembodiment may be combined with any or all of embodiments one to twelve.In some examples, a fourteenth embodiment may be defined in which thetest fixture may be configured to receive a power unit of one of theaerosol provision devices in the cavity, and each of the testing modulesmay include an optical transmitter and an optical sensor disposed at thecavity. The fourteenth embodiment may be combined with any or all ofembodiments one to thirteen. In some examples, a fifteenth embodimentmay be defined in which the processing circuitry may be configured tointerface with the optical transmitter and the optical sensor to providean optical code (e.g., an optical unlock code) to the power unit via theoptical transmitter and receive feedback on a status of transitioningthe assembly (e.g., unlocking the lock assembly) of the power unit viathe optical sensor. The fifteenth embodiment may be combined with any orall of embodiments one to fourteen. In some examples, a sixteenthembodiment may be defined in which the optical transmitter and theoptical sensor may be collocated within the cavity at a same side of thecavity and at a same longitudinal length along the cavity. The sixteenthembodiment may be combined with any or all of embodiments one tofifteen. In some examples, a seventeenth embodiment may be defined inwhich the optical sensor may include one or more phototransistors, andthe optical transmitter may include a light ring and a plurality oflight emitting diodes disposed around the light ring where the lightring extends around the one or more phototransistors. The seventeenthembodiment may be combined with any or all of embodiments one tosixteen. In some examples, an eighteenth embodiment may be defined inwhich the optical transmitter and the optical sensor may be located atdifferent sides or longitudinal lengths within the cavity. Theeighteenth embodiment may be combined with any or all of embodiments oneto seventeen. In some examples, a nineteenth embodiment may be definedin which the optical transmitter of each respective one of the testingmodules may be operated independently. The nineteenth embodiment may becombined with any or all of embodiments one to eighteen. In someexamples, a twentieth embodiment may be defined in which the opticaltransmitter of the each respective one of the testing modules generatesa different optical signal (e.g., optical unlock signal) into the cavityof the each respective one of the testing modules, and the differentunlock signal is determined based on a unique identifier of the powerunit. The twentieth embodiment may be combined with any or all ofembodiments one to nineteen.

Many modifications and other embodiments of the inventions set forthherein will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which theseinventions pertain having the benefit of the teachings presented in theforegoing descriptions and the associated drawings. Therefore, it is tobe understood that the inventions are not to be limited to the specificembodiments disclosed and that modifications and other embodiments areintended to be included within the scope of the appended claims.Moreover, although the foregoing descriptions and the associateddrawings describe exemplary embodiments in the context of certainexemplary combinations of elements and/or functions, it should beappreciated that different combinations of elements and/or functions maybe provided by alternative embodiments without departing from the scopeof the appended claims. In this regard, for example, differentcombinations of elements and/or functions than those explicitlydescribed above are also contemplated as may be set forth in some of theappended claims. In cases where advantages, benefits or solutions toproblems are described herein, it should be appreciated that suchadvantages, benefits and/or solutions may be applicable to some exampleembodiments, but not necessarily all example embodiments. Thus, anyadvantages, benefits or solutions described herein should not be thoughtof as being critical, required or essential to all embodiments or tothat which is claimed herein. Although specific terms are employedherein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and notfor purposes of limitation.

That which is claimed:
 1. A test fixture for testing aerosol provisiondevices; the test fixture comprising: a housing; a plurality of testingmodules disposed at the housing, each of the testing modules including acavity configured to receive a portion of an aerosol provision device;and processing circuitry operably coupled to the testing modules,wherein each of the testing modules is configured to interface with anassembly of a respective one of the aerosol provision devices totransition the assembly between an initial state and a transitionedstate during a functional test controlled by the processing circuitry,wherein the processing circuitry is configured to conduct the functionaltest of one or more modules simultaneously.
 2. The test fixture of claim1, wherein the testing modules are removable and replaceable.
 3. Thetest fixture of claim 1, wherein the cavity is disposed at a frontportion of the housing and extends longitudinally into the test fixtureparallel to a surface on which the test fixture is supported.
 4. Thetest fixture of claim 1, wherein the cavity is disposed at a top portionof the housing and extends longitudinally into the test fixtureperpendicular to a surface on which the test fixture is supported. 5.The test fixture of claim 1, wherein the processing circuitry isconfigured to separately conduct and record testing for a power unitassociated with each respective one of the testing modules.
 6. The testfixture of claim 5, wherein the testing modules each include a statuspanel configured to indicate a status of the functional test conductedat a corresponding one of the testing modules.
 7. The test fixture ofclaim 5, wherein the testing modules are each operably coupled to aremote operator console, and wherein the remote operator consoleincludes a display configured to simultaneously indicate a status of thefunctional test being conducted at a plurality of the testing modules.8. The test fixture of claim 1, wherein the processing circuitry isconfigured to initiate the functional test based on operator instructionprovided locally at a corresponding one of the testing modules.
 9. Thetest fixture of claim 1, wherein the processing circuitry is configuredto initiate the functional test based on operator instruction providedremotely at an operator console operably coupled to the test fixture.10. The test fixture of claim 1, wherein the test fixture is configuredto receive a power unit of one of the aerosol provision devices in thecavity, and wherein the test fixture is configured to determine a uniqueidentifier associated with the power unit responsive to insertion of thepower unit into the cavity.
 11. The test fixture of claim 10, whereinthe processing circuitry is configured to compare the unique identifierdetermined to a provided identifier to determine whether the providedidentifier and the unique identifier determined match.
 12. The testfixture of claim 11, wherein the processing circuitry is configured toinstruct a printer to print the unique identifier on a label responsiveto determining that the provided identifier and the unique identifierdetermined match.
 13. The test fixture of claim 10, wherein the testfixture is configured to generate a unique code based on the uniqueidentifier, and wherein the assembly transitions from the initial stateto the transitioned state responsive to receipt of the unique code. 14.The test fixture of claim 1, wherein the test fixture is configured toreceive a power unit of one of the aerosol provision devices in thecavity, and wherein each of the testing modules comprises an opticaltransmitter and an optical sensor disposed at the cavity.
 15. The testfixture of claim 14, wherein the processing circuitry is configured tointerface with the optical transmitter and the optical sensor to providean optical code to the power unit via the optical transmitter andreceive feedback on a status of transitioning the assembly between theinitial state and the transitioned state of the power unit via theoptical sensor.
 16. The test fixture of claim 14, wherein the opticaltransmitter and the optical sensor are collocated within the cavity at asame side of the cavity and at a same longitudinal length along thecavity.
 17. The test fixture of claim 16, wherein the optical sensorcomprises one or more phototransistors, and wherein the opticaltransmitter comprises a light ring and a plurality of light emittingdiodes disposed around the light ring, the light ring extending aroundthe one or more phototransistors.
 18. The test fixture of claim 14,wherein the optical transmitter and the optical sensor are located atdifferent sides or longitudinal lengths within the cavity.
 19. The testfixture of claim 14, wherein the optical transmitter of each respectiveone of the testing modules is operated independently.
 20. The testfixture of claim 19, wherein the optical transmitter of the eachrespective one of the testing modules generates a different opticalsignal into the cavity of the each respective one of the testingmodules, and wherein the different optical signal is determined based ona unique identifier of the power unit.